2026 Texas Indie Filmmaker Awards – FilmFreeway Submission Guidelines

THIS IS NOT A FILM FESTIVAL — THIS IS AN AWARD SHOW
NO FREE ENTRY WAIVERS
MUST BE A TEXAS-AFFILIATED PROJECT

📽️ Film Screening Policy

We will screen selected films with submitter consent prior to the awards ceremony.

No films will be screened during the awards show itself.

Independent films with distribution deals are welcome to submit if your contract allows screening prior to awards.

🎬 About the Texas Indie Filmmaker Awards

The Texas Indie Filmmaker Awards (TIFA) is a red-carpet, formal awards show designed to celebrate Texas-based films and Texas-affiliated projects.

Created with independent artists in mind, TIFA aims to give Texas talent a “Hollywood feel” while recognizing the dedication and creativity that goes into independent filmmaking. Our mission is to:

Provide opportunities and exposure for the talent behind the industry.

Offer a significant networking platform that unites artists from across Texas.

Celebrate diversity and inclusion, strengthening connections within the film industry.

🏆 Our Purpose

We understand the challenging journey of getting a project noticed and recognized — and that not everyone will make it to the Oscars, Grammys, or Tonys. That’s where we come in.

Our goal is to honor artists right where they are. The only requirement is that your project be a quality production with a Texas connection.

💡 About Ladies in Film & Television

Hosted by Ladies in Film & Television (LIFT) — a nonprofit organization supporting underrepresented and overlooked talent — this event provides a safe, inclusive space for creatives.

LIFT was founded in 2009 (originally Headline Mentors & Performing Arts) and has since grown into a thriving network that empowers artists through mentorship, education, and exposure.

🌎 Global Reach

We broadcast LIVE on our YouTube channel LIFT TV and Facebook page, reaching an audience of 17,000+ filmmakers and film enthusiasts worldwide — and growing daily.

This means your work will not only be celebrated locally but shared with a global audience. *

Awards & Prizes

🏆 Awards & Prizes – 2026 Texas Indie Filmmaker Awards

🎶 NEW! Cavin Yarbrough Music Award

✨ Honoring the Most Inspirational Music Video of the Year
This award celebrates music videos that uplift, inspire, and create a lasting impact.

🏆 Winner Recognition

🏅 Custom Trophy – Designed exclusively for TIFA winners
🏅 Custom “WINNER” Laurel – Perfect for posters, trailers, and marketing materials

🏅 Special Awards

⭐ Texas Indie Choice Award
Celebrating projects that embody creativity, originality, and Texas pride.

⭐ Texas Audience Choice Award (NEW)
Awarded to the project with the greatest audience support during our July screening event.

🎥 Award Categories
🎬 Film & Video Categories

🎵 Best Music Video (Top Finalists may perform live at the awards show)
🎥 Best Documentary (or Docuseries)
🎞️ Best Short Film
🎬 Best Feature Film
🎓 Best Youth Filmmaker (Ages 5–19)

👏 Performance Categories

🎭 Best Actor
🎭 Best Actress
🎭 Best Supporting Actor
🎭 Best Supporting Actress

🎞️ Creative & Technical Categories

🎬 Best Producer
🖊️ Best Screenwriter
📷 Best Cinematographer
✂️ Best Editor

🎁 Additional Categories

✅ FREE with every submission – Include all requested information to be considered.
📊 Judged on submission guideline adherence and quality of content.

🎤 Exciting Pre-Show Opportunities

🎙️ Live Interviews – On LIFT TV and social media
📚 Business & Financial Literacy Workshops – Learn to maximize your film’s success
🤝 Networking Opportunities – Connect with Texas filmmakers & industry pros

✨ This is your chance for growth, exposure, and lasting industry connections!

Rules & Terms

📜 Rules & Eligibility – 2026 Texas Indie Filmmaker Awards

✅ Eligibility

Texas Connection Required:

Projects may be submitted from any state or country as long as they have verifiable proof of at least one Texas-affiliated lead in the production.
Eligible Texas connections include:

Texas-based Film

Texas Lead Actor(s)

Texas Filming Location

Texas Producer

Texas Director

Texas Head Writer with a current Texas residency

📝 Submission Rules

Judging Access: Only official LIFT judges have access to submissions.

Voting Privacy: All votes are recorded and kept confidential.

Submission Platform: All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway.

No Physical Media: Do not send discs or downloadable files.

Winner Announcement: Winners will be announced on the official date listed.

Rights Confirmation: By submitting, you confirm you hold the rights to your film and accept all rules and terms.

Category Placement: TIFA reserves the right to re-categorize a submission if it is better suited elsewhere.

Multiple Categories: A film may be submitted to multiple genres/categories.

Promotional Use: TIFA may use snippets, sequences, still images, and music from submissions for promotion on print, social media, and the TIFA website. We may also share IMDb data of associated industry members.

Withdrawal Policy: Once a film has been publicized as a participant, it cannot be withdrawn.

Winner Attendance: All winners are responsible for their own admission, transportation, and lodging for the show.

Nomination Meeting: Finalists must attend the Nomination Meeting where logistics are explained.

Official Selection Announcement: Official Selections will be published on TIFA’s social media platforms.

Completion Date: Submissions must have been completed within the past 4 years (2020–2024).

Low Submission Categories: If there are not enough entries in a category, TIFA reserves the right to remove that category, refund the submitter, or offer entry into another category.

Content Restrictions: No pornographic material is permitted.

Refunds: Submission fees are non-refundable, including submissions disqualified for violating content restrictions.

🏆 TIFA Trophy Policy

Individual Winners: One trophy is awarded to the winner of each category.

Multiple Winners: If a category has multiple winners, one group trophy will be presented.

Optional Extra Trophies: Additional engraved trophies may be purchased (includes engraving & shipping) within 30 days after the ceremony.

📧 Questions?
Email business@ladiesinfilm.com
or call 817-406-LIFT (5438) before submitting if you have any questions about the rules.

⚠️ Submission Rules & Warnings

Pornographic Content

Submissions containing pornography will be immediately disqualified and no refunds will be issued.

Sex scenes are permitted; however, if the content is determined to be pornographic, the organizers reserve the right to disqualify the project.

Incomplete Submissions

Entries missing any required elements — such as a poster, trailer, project file for viewing, or cast & crew details (names, roles, emails, and phone numbers) — will be disqualified and no refunds will be issued.

Please take your time to ensure your submission is fully complete before finalizing.

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kitty Jones

    The festival was incredible from start to finish. The administrators presented an award-winning showcase that was thoughtful and engaging.
    We were pleased.

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Michelle Kaumeyer Hoffman

    Wow! What an amazing film festival. We were honored to be nominated and so thrilled to win best director and best screenplay writer for a short film. It was well put together and the communication was amazing. I definitely recommend this festival!

    April 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    "It was an absolute pleasure to have you at the awards show this year! We appreciate your presence and feedback, and we look forward to seeing more of your work in 2025. Our goal is to take this to the next level and continue to inspire Indie Talent. You all looked fabulous, and we owe the success of the show to your participation. Thank you so much for showing up!"

  • Emily Giuffre

    One of the best experiences with any film festival/award ceremony I've experience so far! Ladies in Film & Television are a wonderful bunch and the Texas Indie Awards made us feel like royalty. They get eyes on our projects and they encourage us to keep creating. A very nurturing group and event. I highly recommend TIFA to all indie filmmakers!

    April 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Dear Emily,

    I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the wonderful review you left us. It was really heartfelt and we appreciate it so much! We had a great time meeting you and your team and we hope to see you again at the 2025 event. It was your support that made the event possible and we are truly grateful for that. Thanks to you and everyone who showed up, we had a sold-out event!

    Thank you again for your support and we hope to see you soon. Until 2025! Make more films!!!

  • Deanna Chandler

    It was an absolute amazing experience!! I truly felt honored. The award show was top notch in elegance. The theme was so fun. Western Formal!! Yes The lighting on the award presentation along with the presenters was gorgeous. Texas Indie Filmmaker Award Show was beautiful. My award looks beautiful on my mantle. A fantastic Red Carpet experience.

    April 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Deanna,

    Thank you so much for this amazing review! We are so happy you enjoyed and entered your project! Congratulations on your nominations and wins! Keep shining in Texas like the Star that you are! Until 2025...Keep CREATING!

  • Dennis O'Neill

    They worked hard to make this festival a success. They were victorious. I love this festival.

    April 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Dennis, and congratulations on your wins! We look forward to seeing more of your work in 2024! So many of our guests were looking for your web series.